Four-time flat winner The Reverend will miss the Cheltenham Festival after suffering a setback. The former William Haggas trained gelding won three valuable handicaps before switching to Willie Mullins in October.
The Reverend made a successful hurdling debut at Cork in January, warming to the jumping task throughout. He stepped up to Grade 1 company at Leopardstown, though unseated Harry Cobden after clipping heels on the home turn.
The Reverend held entries in the Supreme and the Turners, but will not be part of the Mullins team. Racing manager Sean Graham told the Press Association via Racing TV: “Unfortunately The Reverend is lame. We don’t want to take any chances, so he’ll miss Cheltenham.”
The Lope De Vega gelding is part-owned by Tony Bloom, who remarkably won the Triumph Hurdle with hurdling debutant Poniros. Third at Leopardstown on his sole start this season, Poniros has been steadily supported for the Champion Hurdle next week.
Bloom & Mullins retain big chances elsewhere
Tony Bloom has two other entries for next week, as Energumene seeks to roll back the years in the Ryanair. Bunting is doubly entered in both the Cup Handicap Hurdle and the County Handicap Hurdle. The Bathyrhon gelding is winless since his hurdling debut, though caught the eye when fourth at Leopardstown at Christmas.
The absence of The Reverend means Willie Mullins is down to ‘just’ 13 entries in the Supreme. Official confirmations will be through this afternoon, with many keen to see whether Mighty Park takes up his entry. The Walk In The Park gelding has been the talk of the preview scene as the Closutton commotion ramps up. He’s been likened to Faugheen and while the Turners appeared the initial route, the Supreme likeliness is ever increasing.
Another ex-flat horse in Sober, who won the Queen Alexandra, is also doubly entered in the Supreme and the Turners. Mullins is down to fifteen entries for the former, with Mighty Park spearheading that team for now. DRF-third King Rasko Grey looks destined to improve for the step up in trip after finishing behind Talk The Talk.
The loss of The Reverend makes little changes to the ever prevalent Mullins bingo, as National Hunt fans eagerly await the final shuffling of the powerful pack. Connections will likely target The Reverend toward Punchestown as his next major National Hunt assignment. He remains an exciting dual-coded prospect for connections, and Royal Ascot will no doubt be on the agenda.